Holders for containers



Dec. 20, 1960 E. P. HERRMANN HOLDERS FOR CONTAINERS Filed April 21, 1958 m W m m a NP 5 D U it HOLDERS FOR CONTAINERS Edmund P. Herrmann, 29 Hawthorne Ave., Glen Ridge, NJ.

This invention relates to holders for containers, and refers more particularly to holders capable of engaging the side walls of a paper cup or similar container.

Known holders for paper containers and similar articles were not adapted to effectively support and transport cups filled with hot or cold liquids for any length of time.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a greater degree of durability and flexibility in holders for containers of liquids.

Another object is to provide a greater degree of utility, stability and adaptability in holders for paper cups and the like.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved inexpensive holder for paper containers and the like, which may be utilized for advertising purposes.

Yet another object is to provide a more convenient and more applicable holder for a wide variety of containers of diiferent shapes, sizes and designs.

A further object is the provision of holders which can be conveniently nested in the form of stacks of holders in vending machines and upon counters and can be placed in position upon one cup by the manipulation of another cup.

, Other objects of the present invention will become apparent during the course of the following specification.

In the attainment of the aforesaid and other objectives, the inventive concept of the present invention may be realized through the provision of a thin, flat blank which is provided with a plurality of strategically located crease lines and slots, so as to form a cup-receiving aperture in a central portion of the blank for holding a paper cup.

In one form of the holder, a slot nearest the outer periphery of the blank forms an unconnected circular or oval outline. Another pair of slots, nearer the center of the central portion and disposed diametrically opposite each other, form another semi-circular or semi-oval outline.

Two crease lines, extending opposite each other, are formed in the central portion of the blank, each of which has an end connected with one end of the outermost slot, respectively, the crease lines extendingthrough the \widest part of the central portion.

A shield portion intermediate the two crease lines may serve. as a means for supporting and holding the cup steadily in the holder, and providing a base for the handle portions. One side of the central portion is integral with the blank when the central portion is lifted out of the blank to form a circular or oval cup-receiving aperture.

' The central tab portion may form two semi-circular or semi-oval handle portions located diametrically 'opposite each other and two tab or shield-like portions diametrically opposite each other when the central portion is bent perpendicularly outwardly with respect to the plane of the blank along crease lines formed in one side of the blank. I

States Pat ent-C ice In another form of the holder of the present invention, the central portion is severed diametrically along widest part to form two equal parts, thereby providing two pairs of handle portions, one pair opposite each side of the blank, and each of which has one of its ends secured to one side of the blank. Each pair of handle portions may, therefore, form two half-ears of semi-circular shape and two semi-circular or semi-oval half-tab portions, respectively.

A fuller understanding of the present invention may be had by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, showing by way of example a preferred embodiment of the inven-' tive idea.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view of one form of a holder of th present invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of a holder carrying a-paper cup.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a holder of the first form.

Figure 4 is a plan view of another form of a holder of the present invention.

Figure 5 is aside view of the holder carrying a paper cup.

Figure 6 is a perspective view.

Referring now to the drawing in greater detail, whereinlike reference numerals indicate like parts, reference numeral 10 indicates a holder, constituting one form of the present invention, illustrated particularly in Figures -1 to 3, inclusive.

The holder 10 is comprised essentially of a thin, fiat blank of stiff cardboard, plastic, metal or other suitable material. The blank may be plain, or coated, or printed in any desired manner.

The holder 10 shown in the first embodiment of Figures l to 3, inclusive, is of circular form. It is understood, however, that any other suitable shape, such as trapezoidal, elliptical, square, rectangular, and the like, are also possible, if desired.

The blank has a central portion 14 which may be positioned slightly off center from the center of the blank 12 in the manner indicated in Figure 1.

The central portion 14 is enclosed by a slot 16 disposed near the outer periphery 17 of the blank and separating the central portion 14 from the outer annular blank portion 12. -The slot 16 is preferably formed in the shape of a slight oval, being about 1 to /3 out of round. This has the advantage that when the handle is in use, as will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the container is slightly bent out of round to fit the blank portion 12. This improves the hold of the portion 12 upon the container. Furthermore, the portion 12 will have the tendency to concave, thereby acting as a lock washer. It is understood that other shapes and sizes of central portions are also possible, such as scalloped, fluted, circular or elliptically shaped portions, and the like. These designs are, however, dependent upon the requirements of the manufacturer and the type of cups used.

The slot 16 has its ends 15 and 19 terminate at a preformed in an arc of approximately 345. determines point in the blank. In Figure l, the slot is The central portion 14 is further comprised of two other slots 22 and 24 innermost with respect to the center of the blank. These slots 22 and 24 are of semicircular shape and are predeterminedly spaced diametrically opposite from each other through an arc of approximately in the manner shown in Figure 1. A crease line 26 and another similar crease line 28 are formed in the central portion of the blank. The lines 26 and 28 extend through the central portion 14 and are spaced from each other so as to form an intermediate shield portion 30.

From this construction it is apparent that the slots 16 and 22 and 24- provide two handle portions 32 and 34, and two tab portions 36 and 33, respectively. l i The blank 12 is further provided with two crease lines 40 and 42 disposed intermediate the terminal ends 15 and 19 of slot 16 and the outer periphery 17 of the blank. Another shield part 36a is formed when the blank is folded at crease lines 4t? and 42. Due to this arrangement the portion 30a serves as an additional reinforcement for the handle.

It is apparent, therefore, from this construction that the central portion 14 is readily pushed downwardly, thereby causing the central portion 1'4 to bend downwardly.- The blank, in this instance, consequently'assumes the position illustrated in Figure 2, wherein a cup is held in the cup-receiving aperture 48 (Figure 3).

In use, the holder is circumjacently disposed on the wider arcuate end 50 of the cup by pushing the cup through the cup-receiving aperture 48 which is formed when the central portion 14 is bent perpendicularly out wardly with respect to the plane of the holder. The portions 32 and 34 of the central portion serve as handles and are also bent almost perpendicularly outwardly along crease lines 26 and 28 with respect to the plane of the central portion 14. If desired, the shield portions 36 and 38 are also bent almost perpendicularly outwardly along crease lines 26 and 28 with respect to the plane of the central portion. Practical use has shown that the tabs '36 and 38 offer a greater degree of support as a shield for engaging the cup and, therefore, stabilize the holder more firmly in its position around the wider arcuate end of the cup. The annular portion 12 does not serve only as a holder, but is also a drip catcher which prevents 'the passage of liquid. If desired, the holder may be easily slipped awayfrom the cup for future use by merely pushing the holder downwardly toward the narrower arcuate end 52 of the cup.

'Another form of the holder is shown in Figures 4 to 6, inclusive, and is designated by the reference numeral 60. The holder 60 is comprised essentially of a thin, fiat blank of stiff cardboard or other similar material which may be pretreated, if desired.

' A central portion 66 is provided with two outer slots 68 and 70, and is enclosed by the outer annular blank portion 62.

The blank has another slot 64 diametrically disposed intermediate the slots 63 and 76 and dividing the central portion '66 into two equal portions.

The central portion 66 is further provided with two pairs of slots 72 and 74, and '76 and 78, respectively.

Two pairs of crease lines St 82 and 84, 85 are formed in the central portion 66 and extend diametrically from each other at a predetermined distance from each other in such a manner, so as to terminate intermediate the terminal ends of the outermost slots 68 and 70, respeca 'tively. Intermediate the crease lines 80 and 84 shield portion 81 is provided. Similarly, intermediate the crease lines 32 and 85, another shield portion 83 is provided.

From this construction, it is apparent that the slots 68, 72 and '74 provide two handle portions 86 and 88 and two shield portions 90 and 2. Slots 7t], 76 and 78 pro- "vide two handle portions 94 and 96 and two shield portions 98 and 100, respectively. 1

The blank 62 is further provided with two pairs of crease lines 192, 1594 and 166, 1%, diametrically disposed opposite each other near the outer periphery of the blank. Thelines 1&2, 104 and 166, 193 provide shield parts 110 and 112, respectively, when the central portion 66-of the blank is folded thereon.

It is apparent from this construction that the central portion 66 is also readily pushed downwardly either manually'or'with the aid of the narrower bottom wall. of a 4 cup, thereby causing the central portion 66 to bend along the crease lines 102, 104 and 106, 108.

The blank 62, consequently assumes the position illustrated in Figure 5, wherein a cup is held in the cupreceiving portion 114 of the holder 60 by means of the two pairs of handles. In Figure 5, the holder 60 is circumjacently disposed on the wider arcuate end 116 of the cup by pushing the cup firmly through the cup-receiving portion 114 (Fig. 6). The two pairs of shields 90,92 and 98, may remain in an unfolded manner, as shown in Figure 5, so as to act as a means for supporting and holding the cup steadily within the holder. The two pairs of handles 86, 88 and 94, 96 are bent along their respective crease lines almost perpendicularly outwardly with respect to the plane of the central portion.

The holder 60 may also be readily removed from the cup by merely pushing the blank downwardly toward the narrower arcuate end of the cup manually.

The exact dimensions for manufacturing the holder are, of course, dependent upon the requirements of the user and manufacturer as well as other conditions of use dependent upon the circumstances prevailing at a particular instance.

A wide variety of holders, therefore, of different shapes, sizes, materials of construction are possible, each of which embodies the novel structural features hereinabove described.

For example, the shape of the holder may be polygonal, hexagonal, octagonal, elliptical, oval, circular, trapezoidal, parallelogram-shaped and the like. Similarly, the central portion may be also formed of a correspondingly similar shape as the above-mentioned general outline of the holder. 'The exact construction, however, is dependent upon many factors, such as dispensers, type of containers or cups, available materials of construction, advertising designs, and the like.

As materials of construction, plastic, cardboard, metal, or other similar material may be also used.

Similarly, other decorative and ornamental features, such as a reinforced rim along the outer and inner peripheries 0f the holder, handle and tab, or shield portions to provide greater stability may also be possible.

The holder may be widely used and readily distributed in diners, soda fountains, supermarkets and other food stores, department stores, dispensers, picnic areas, coinoperated coffee dispensers and the like, coffee and tea shoppes, catering services, car hop restaurants, drive-in theatres, camps, and a host of other locations and out-lets.

Numerous'advantages'are apparent in the device of the present invention. Some of the most salient features are as follows:

The-holder is inexpensive to manufacture. It is valuable as amedium for advertising. Hot or cold liquids will not affect its stability. Another important feature of the novel construction of the present invention is that the holder disposed concentrically with respect to the wider arcuate end walls of the cup retards, and, therefore, prevents any liquid that may be spilled or caused to drip from the lips of the cup during use. The handle and shield portions prevent rapid transmission of heat from the hot liquid in the cup to the users fingers. Also, no sanitation problems present themselves, since the holder may be constructed of pro-treated material and readily discarded after use. i It will'be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment hereinabove described, but includes, all such modifications, variations, and equivalents as fall within the scope of the appended claim. In particular, the rim of the holder does not have to conform to the shape of its central hole. It the container is of small height, the central portion of the holder may be reduced in size,'so that it will not extend below the bottom of the container.

What is claimed is:

A container-holder comprising a thin flat bendable blank with a circular edge, said blank having a substantially oval slot which is off center relatively to said circular edge of the blank and which forms an arc of approximately 345, said slot separating said blank into a central portion and an outer substantially annular portion, said central portion having two other slots of substantially semi-circular shape which are located diametrically opposite each other through an arc of approximately 170, said central portion further having two crease lines, each of said crease lines extending from a separate end of the first-mentioned slot and through the two ends of a separate one of said two other slots, said two crease lines converging toward each other, whereby an intermediate shield portion is formed between said crease References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,808,763 Burdett June 9, 1931 2,378,750 Carew June 19, 1945 2,728,516 Rodman Dec. 27, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 479,645 Canada Dec. 25, 1951 

